Promised Blessings

The LORD had said to Abram, "Go from your country, your people and your father's household to the land I will show you. "I will make you into a great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you." (Genesis 12:1-3 NIV)

Abram was given a great promise.  He was promised blessings in his life.  His name would be great.  He would be a blessing to others.  All nations on earth would be blessed through him.  This promise was given to Abram from God under one condition.  He was to leave his country and people, going to the land God showed him.  Abram was given a conditional promise.  When he does his part, God will do His.

"You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am. Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you. Very truly I tell you, no servant is greater than his master, nor is a messenger greater than the one who sent him. Now that you know these things, you will be blessed if you do them. (John 13:13-17 NIV)

Abram wasn’t the only one who received conditional promises from God.  We have many of His promises given to us as well.  Jesus taught many of these promises to His disciples and then told them to make more disciples who would learn His commands and follow them, too.  When we do our part, once again, God does His part.

Do not repay evil with evil or insult with insult. On the contrary, repay evil with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may inherit a blessing. For, "Whoever would love life and see good days must keep their tongue from evil and their lips from deceitful speech. They must turn from evil and do good; they must seek peace and pursue it. For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil." (1 Peter 3:9-12 NIV)

We can love life and see good days, God promises, if we keep from evil and deceitful speech.  When we turn from evil and do good, seek peace and pursue it, we see these good days.  God promises.  It’s a conditional promise.  We do our part.  He does His.  The Scriptures are filled with promises like these – promises like Abram received.  God wants to bless us.  God wants to bless others through us.  We simply need to know His promises and live out our part.  Then we will see God’s blessings and see others blessed through us, too.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8 NIV)

So, how about you?  Are you ready to receive God’s blessings?  Are you ready to bless others?